Christie: NBA boss doing a 'bait and switch'

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is rejecting a call from the National Basketball Association's commissioner to join him in lobbying Congress to legalize sports betting across the nation.

Christie said during a televised interview Monday night that it was "kind of crazy" for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to ask his help with a legalization push when Silver is fighting efforts to make sports betting legal in New Jersey.

Christie said the position represented a "bait and switch."

Silver has been advocating a national approach and repeated his position during a Monday interview with ESPN.

The NBA and other major pro sports leagues have opposed Christie's attempts to legalize the practice in New Jersey. A federal judge has blocked the state from introducing sports betting at casinos and racetracks.